A major flood control project along the Nima-Paloma to Odaw River corridor has ground to a halt after the government terminated the contractor over poor performance.
The Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources is now awaiting financial clearance to procure a replacement.
The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Gilbert Kenneth Agyei, disclosed this on the floor of Parliament while responding to a question by the Member of Parliament for Klottey Korle, Hon. Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, on the timeline for the reconstruction of the Odawna drainage system.
Also read:Â GJA urges NDC to sanction officers involved in attack on Obatanpa Radio staff
According to the Minister, the project commenced in July 2024 and involves the construction of a 1.5-kilometre box culvert along the Odawna River drainage channel. It was originally scheduled for completion within 18 months, by December 2025.
However, he revealed that the contract had been terminated after the contractor failed to perform satisfactorily.
“Due to poor performance, the contract for this work has been terminated,” Hon. Agyei informed Parliament.
He explained that significant portions of the project remain incomplete, raising concerns over the vulnerability of communities along the flood-prone corridor, particularly as heavy rains continue to affect Accra.
To mitigate the immediate risk of flooding, the Minister said the Ministry has initiated emergency measures while preparing to engage a new contractor.
The planned interventions include the demolition of a power wall within the drainage channel to prevent sediment accumulation and reduce flooding, as well as the completion of downstream drainage structures required to connect sections of the drainage system to the Odaw River.
Hon. Agyei disclosed that the Ministry would, in the coming days, submit the necessary documentation to the Ministry of Finance to obtain approval for the continuation of the project.
“In the coming days, we will submit to the Ministry of Finance the necessary documents for approval to continue the process,” he said.
He explained that the Ministry cannot proceed with the retendering and repackaging of the project until it receives commitment authorisation from the Ministry of Finance, which is required before a new contract can be awarded.
The disclosure comes amid renewed concerns over flooding in Accra following recent heavy rains, with residents and businesses along the Odaw drainage basin anxiously awaiting the completion of the project to reduce the perennial risk of floods.
The delay has heightened calls for the swift appointment of a new contractor and expedited funding approval to ensure the project resumes without further setbacks and contributes to Ghana’s broader flood mitigation efforts.